Engaging Our Opportunities
Part of Let's Go Fishin'—Evangelism
July 23, 2023

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Engaging Our Opportunities

Within 5 miles of The Harbor lives an estimated 19,237 people.
Within 10 miles of The Harbor lives an estimated 148,129 people.
Within 15 miles of The Harbor lives an estimated 364,934 people.

According to thearda.com (The Association of Religion Data Archives), 46% of Galveston County claims no religious affiliation at all.

If you include only those people who claim an evangelical Christian faith - a faith that is marked by salvation through faith in Christ alone - 81% of Galveston County would be considered “unreached” with the Good News.

The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. —Luke 10:2

Reference book: B.L.E.S.S. by Dave and Jon Ferguson

Big Idea: We can’t always create the opportunity, but we can be ready to engage.
Big Question: How can we be ready to engage?
Main Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. —Ephesians 5:15-16

“Make the most of every opportunity”, if translated literally, means “redeeming the time.”


How can we be ready to engage?
1. Redeem the time.

It carries with it the idea of making sacrifices for the opportunity; the quickness in seizing it; and the wisdom in using it to the utmost, whether by silence or speech. —Ellicott Commentary

We are reading through the beginning of B.L.E.S.S. and looking at our neighborhood map we created. Our next door neighbors go to The Harbor as well. Just after school got out, we talked about doing “driveway dogs and burgers” for the street and then the heat hit. No one was going outside, even in the evening. Praying for a slight cool down to implement our plan. 🍔🌭 Thank you for doing this series… so needed to help build community and love where we live. —Email from an Attender of The Harbor

Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. —Ephesians 5:17


How can we be ready to engage?
1. Redeem the time.
2. Respond with thoughtfulness.

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. —Colossians 4:6

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Ephesians 5:18-20


How can we be ready to engage?
1. Redeem the time.
2. Respond with thoughtfulness.
3. Rejoice with thanksgiving.

If you have decided to follow Jesus today, we’d like to celebrate that with you and help you with some next steps. Please text Life to 63566.